Leicester City: New Wilfred Ndidi transfer update emerges | OneFootball

Wilfred Ndidi could be the next long-serving Foxes player to leave after his contract terms were revealed

Long-serving Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi could be heading for the exit door at the King Power Stadium this summer after his £9 million relegation release clause was reportedly activated following the Foxes' drop back into the second-tier last week.

The Foxes' immediate relegation back to the Championship was confirmed last Sunday after a 1-0 defeat to top-flight leaders Liverpool at the King Power Stadium.

A summer of change beckons for the East Midlands outfit, with current boss Ruud van Nistelrooy's future uncertain following a torrid run of form that has seen them consigned to relegation. Legendary striker Jamie Vardy has already confirmed his departure after 13 successful years at the club.

More incomings and outgoings are expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks, and Ndidi, who is their second-longest-serving current player after veteran Vardy, could well leave this summer in favour of a move to another top-flight side either in England or abroad.

Wilfred Ndidi's Leicester City relegation release clause revealed

Ndidi joined Leicester from Belgian side Genk for around £17m in January 2017, and he has been a constant over numerous years of real change at the King Power Stadium since his arrival.

The Nigerian international has made 300 appearances for the Foxes in his eight years at the club, and was a key part of their 2021 FA Cup triumph, while also helping them return to the Premier League last season after a surprise relegation in 2023.

At 28-years-old, he may well be looking for a new challenge in his career following Leicester's relegation back to the second-tier. BBC Sport have revealed that he is available for £9m this summer, with his relegation release clause now active heading into the transfer window.

Ndidi still has two years left to run on his Foxes contract, after he signed a new three-year deal last summer in the face of interest from Marseille and Everton. The same BBC report states that the pressure from those interested clubs was likely what saw the release clause included as part of his agreed terms.

Ndidi has been a key man for Leicester - now feels like the right time for him to leave

Ndidi has been an important part of numerous Leicester squads over the years, but his exit has felt likely for a number of transfer windows now, despite him penning that new deal last summer following interest from other clubs in his signature.

He has made 27 appearances in all competitions up to now this season, with one goal and four assists to his name, and has continued to be a regular starter under both Steve Cooper and current boss van Nistelrooy, only missing games due to a hamstring injury around the Christmas period.

The 28-year-old was claimed to have wanted an imminent exit following the end of last season, with Everton interested. CaughtOffside then reported that he had rejected a new contract at the East Midlands outfit, but he still went on to sign terms later in the summer.

Interest in his services is bound to be widespread following news of his release clause - Turkish giants Besiktas are already thought to have registered their interest in signing him soon, and they will no doubt be able to afford a £9m figure for his services.

Ndidi himself is sure to want to leave this summer, as, despite his long-standing affiliation with the Foxes, it seems unlikely that he will want to play in the Championship again next season, with potential offers from top-flight clubs set to be received in the months to come.